Detectives to investigate death of policemen

Detectives from Port Moresby will be deployed to Enga to investigate the death of two policemen killed during the national election, Crimes directorate assistant commissioner Victor Isouve said yesterday. “This team consisting forensic and ballistic detectives with a forensic pathologist will be deployed to investigate the deaths of Constables Glen Jimmy and Alex Kopa and the injuring of Constable Mathew Kassap in July in Wabag,” Isouve said. The trio were members of the Mt Hagen-based Mobile Squad 6 and were in Wabag to provide security during the counting period. Isouve said that a forensic pathologist was needed as a post- mortem has not been done on the bodies of Jimmy and Kopa. “Funds for the team’s travel have been sorted out and they are expected to be deployed by Saturday.” Isouve said that a gunman allegedly shot Jimmy and Kopa and injured Kassap with an M16 assault rifle outside the lodge that they were residing in during security operations in the election. It is believed that the gunman had intended to kill the policemen. He also shot a market vendor opposite the lodge while setting up the ambush. Isouve said that the gunman was later shot dead by the members of Mobile Squad 6 who responded by returning fire. Members of the Mobile Squad 6 based in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands were in Wabag providing security during the counting in the national election when they were shot at.